Abstract: Described is a multi-legged instrument stand that is specifically designed to increase stability and resistance to tipping. The stand can be used with any suitable instrument, such as guitars (via a guitar hanger), microphones, etc. The stand includes a base with a body pole. A leg connector is slidably attached with the body pole, with three legs and two stabilizers being pivotally connected with the leg connector. Thus, the legs and stabilizers can collapse for storage or rotate outward to allow the stand to be positioned upon a ground surface with increased stability.

Abstract: A ball-throwing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receptacle for holding at least one ball-shaped projectile, the receptacle having an opening. A feeder is also included in the apparatus, the feeder having a track associated with the opening in the receptacle. The track has a first section positioned adjacent the opening and a second section spaced apart from the first section. The apparatus also includes a holder for holding the at least one ball-shaped projectile in a stationary position, and a launching assembly for launching the at least one projectile in a direction extending away from the ball-throwing apparatus. The ball-throwing apparatus may be sized so that a variety of different pets are able to drop the at least one ball-shaped projectile into the receptacle. Methods of using the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described is a multi-legged instrument stand that is specifically designed to increase stability and resistance to tipping. The stand can be used with any suitable instrument, such as guitars (via a guitar hanger), microphones, etc. The stand includes a base with a body pole. A leg connector is slidably attached with the body pole, with three legs and two stabilizers being pivotally connected with the leg connector. Thus, the legs and stabilizers can collapse for storage or rotate outward to allow the stand to be positioned upon a ground surface with increased stability.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating communications over a protocol is provided. The system includes a class factory that holds identifiers associated with determining which, if any, registered protocol object creator should be employed to create a protocol object. The protocol object implements an abstract network protocol base class. The protocol object is employed to abstract details of communicating over a protocol and to provide a byte stream interface to communications occurring over the protocol, while removing protocol specific code from an application program. The method includes creating an instance of a protocol object from a source of registered protocol handlers based on a request to communicate over a protocol and using a base class API to communicate over the protocol through the protocol object.